Geranium plant named `Midnight Blush`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, `Midnight Blush` characterized by its cascading growth habit; its medium-sized, dark green foliage with zoning, its abundant flowers and, its unique, double, light salmon colored flowers and its heat tolerance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name`Midnight Blush` relates to a new and distinct Geranium plant. `MidnightBlush` is a new and improved plant resulting from a planned breedingprogram as performed by me in my greenhouse at 821 Walnut Street,Batavia, Ill. My breeding program began in March, 1977, and has beenongoing since that time. This seedling was initially identified by myrecords as 80 X 099F, and was the result of a cross between 78-018F andan unnamed, unreleased seedling which resulted from a selfing of aFriesdorf plant (from a class of unpatented fancy leaf Geraniums) as theseed parent, crossed with `Indianapolis Pink`, an unpatented cascadeGeranium as the pollen parent. Being a cross between two market classzonal Geranium plants, it is believed that the botanical classificationPelargonium×hortorum would be appropriate for this plant.

Upon recognition of the outstanding characteristics of this plant, itwas selected from the progeny of the stated cross, and was set aside forfurther observation, testing, and was subsequently named `MidnightBlush`. Asexual reproduction of `Midnight Blush` has been repeatedlyaccomplished by the rooting of vegetative cuttings in my greenhouse inBatavia, Ill. Examination of the plants so propagated through a seriesof propagations has demonstrated that the combination of characteristicsherein disclosed for `Midnight Blush` are firmly fixed and retainedthrough successive generations through asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinguishing characteristics of `Midnight Blush` resideprimarily in its cascading growth habit, its medium-sized, dark greenfoliage with conspicuous zonation and its abundant blooming habit. Thisplant also has unique double, medium-sized salmon colored semi-doubleflowers and unusually high heat tolerance. This plant might be seen as anovel and desirable introduction within the industry by a combination ofdesired traits including.

Being particularly adapted to culture in hanging baskets due to itscascading habit, tendency to prolifically branch, and dense leafycanopy.

Forming a dense plant mass completely hiding the top of a basket inabout 10 weeks from four plantlets, and a thick plant mass which iswider than it is tall and of mounded form.

Having a generous amount of dark, matt foliage, with exceptionally darkgreen coloration and very conspicuous zonation over the leaves which areof medium size, but of higher than normal density.

Presenting a large number of well filled umbels of varied states ofmaturity placed well above the foliage mass, and having a pleasinglysalmon floret coloration which is attractively, contrastinglyhigh-lighted over and against the dark foliage.

Having a large number of umbels with a generous number of open. doublepetal florets of medium size and delicate appearance, borne on pedicelswhich present florets in a tightly condensed arrangement to form umbelshaving a fairly tightly compacted and mounded shape.

Presenting a large number of umbels which also vary in stage of maturitywhich gives the plant an attractive appearance for an extended period oftime rather than being one which blooms in discontinuous flushes.

The color definitions to follow have been taken from the The RoyalHorticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,where presented by the letters RHS followed by a color groupingindication, the number indicating the color patch and the letterindicating the shade, except where color definitions in general terms ofordinary meaning are presented. Plant descriptions were made fromspecimens grown under greenhouse conditions during daylight hours inBatavia, Ill.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The photograph depicts a market unit made up of four market stagespecimens of the plant growing in a 10 inch hanging planter, in a stageof inflorescence. The assemblage is shown in side view, depicting thecharacterists of branching, leaves, leaf density, leaf coloration andzonation, the number and varied stages of buds and flowers, and thepositioning of the flower heads relative mass of the plants in thehanging basket.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

Botanical classiciation: Pelargonium×hortorum.

Market class: Cascading zonal Geranium suitable for planting in hangingbaskets.

Market name: `Midnight Blush`.

Growth: `Midnight Blush` is an exceptionally prolific blooming Geranium.The flowers are double and the flower head or truss is of medium sizeand quite resistant to shattering. The growth is generally procumbent inattitude which gives it a cascading effect.

Growth rate: Rapid, producing a typical 10 inch flowering basket inabout 10 to 12 weeks from four 21/4 inch plantlets using standardcommercial culture. This plant has exceptional vigor under normalconditions.

Blooming habit: Exceptionally profuse and continuously blooming plantthroughout the year, outdoors during the frost-free period, or in thegreenhouse; a mature 10 inch hanging basket commonly producing a rangeof 18 to 23 flower heads at one time, in varying stages of maturity.

INFLORESCENCE

Flower heads:

Size.--21/4 to 37/8 inches across when the florets are fully open.

Count.--18 to 23 presented at one time.

Truss:

Size.--Medium size; ranges from about 2 to 23/4 inches in diameter.

Shape.--Rather tight, forming 1/2 of a flattened globe as it opens.

Number of florets.--Variable, range of from about 18 to 29, average 21to 25.

Lasting quality.--Average. Blooms remain 5 to 10 days and may lastlonger in cool, dry weather.

Buds:

Sepals.--Shape -- Very Narrow and pointed. Color -- Same as leaves.

Color.--Orange Group RHS 27A.

Form.--Short, rounded and fat.

Florets:

Number.--25 to 35.

Form.--Flat to cupped.

Size.--Ranging from 1 inch to 11/2 inches across an open floret.

Petals:

Number.--About 8 to 10.

Size.--Ranging from about 11/16 to 13/16 inches long to about 5/16 to7/16 inches wide.

Texture.--Soft.

Appearance.--Glowing.

Petaloids:

Number.--About 10 to 12.

Shape.--Variable, often misshapen.

Color.--Similar to that of the petals.

Size.--About 9/16 to 11/16 inches long and 1/16 to 3/16 inches wide.

Sepals:

Number.--Usually 5.

Color.--About like that of the leaves.

Pedicel:

Length.--about 7/8 to 1 inch.

Color.--RHS Greyed Purple, 183A.

Peduncle:

Arises.--From node, opposed to leaf petiole.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Color.--RHS Violet, 83A.

Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Stamens: Number -- 3 to 5. Shape -- Ribbon-like filamentsjointed at bases. Color -- Rose purple. Anther attachment -- versatile.Anthers: Number -- 3 or 5. Shape -- Normal, well developed. Color --Purple.

Gynoecium.--Pistil: Number -- One, compound. Length -- About within therange of 3/32 to 5/32 inches. Stigma: Color -- Purple. Style: Color --Green. Ovary: Size -- Within about 1/32 to 1/16 inches long.

Fertility: Normal, viable seed is produced very freely.

Behavior: Once the plant begins to bloom, it has an exceptionallyprolific blooming habit and yields a striking display of medium-sized,double light salmon flowers against its medium-sized dark green foliagewith zoning.

General observations: Inflorescence is of medium size, and of somewhattight heads which are in attractive contrast to the dark foliage of theplant and generally rounded in shape and measure up to about 25/8 inchesacross. High floret, petal and petaloid counts make umbels appear asdense balls at optimum stage of opening. Flowers have very hightolerance to heat when compared to those of other varieties.

STEMS

Thickness: Medium slim.

Internodes: Short.

Branching: Free breaking.

Attitude: Procumbent habit.

FOLIAGE

Leaves:

Quantity.--Abundant.

Shape.--Reniform.

Size.--Largest leaves range from about 15/8 to about 23/4 inches wide.

Margin.--Crenate.

Texture.--Matt, lightly pubescent.

Coloration.--Leaves a much darker appearing green tone than normallyseen in geraniums per se, RHS Green Group 147A, with wide zones of brownhue RHS Brown Group 200A. Zonation is centrally located on the leafsurfaces, and concentric to the point of petiole attachment and withgreen surface portions both inside and outside the zonal band.

Petioles:

Texture.--Lightly pubescent.

Length.--About 1 7/16 to 13/4 inches.

Color.--Greyed Green Group RHS 189A.

Midnight Blush` is comparable to `Flame Delight` with which it sharesmarket class, but is easily distinguishable therefrom in terms of flowercolor; `Midnight Blush` having salmon petal coloration, while the petalsof Flame Delight` are more scarlet; and by vigor, `Midnight Blush` beingmuch more vigorous. Midnight Blush` is readily distinguished fromMidnight Rose` by having florets which are much more double, and of muchlighter coloration and by having a leaf attitude which more closelyfollows the shape of the plant mass and by having leaf zonation which isdarker and more conspicuous.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Geranium plant, substantiallyas shown and described, characterized by its cascading growth habit; itsmedium-sized dark, green foliage with zoning; its abundant bloominghabit; its unique, double, light salmon colored flowers and its heattolerance.